Maternity Shorts Refashion

Hellooo refashion! Man I love this stuff, I think its almost addictive.

Any of you ever been left frustrated while shopping for maternity clothes at the sheer lack of variety & "youthfulness" of what's out there? Much of what I've come across would leave a pregnant woman looking like an old maid! Thankfully in summer maxi dresses and stretchy tanks are a saviour, but there are slim pickings in the shorts department for a growing belly. ALL of the maternity shorts I have seen are knee (or just below knee) length, which is no good when you're 5ft nothing as they tend to hang somewhere around mid calf!

So, enter summery yellow thrifted shorts I picked up for 5 bucks. (The colour is washed out in the pics, so much brighter and yummier in real life!)

This was a total experiment but I will definitely be making more of these in the near future.

First step was to remove the waistband and zipper and end up with something like this...

Now, the fly in maternity pants is purely for decorative purposes and doesn't actually function, so once the zipper is removed a straight stitch right over the existing stitching will close it together.

Next its time to attach a fabulously stretchy band to the waist which will act as your new waistband. I raided my scrap stash and used an old white shirt, selecting white so that if I wore these with a white shirt the band colour wouldn't be visible underneath (but you could use any colour really). Using one of my maxi skirts as a guide, I cut a big fat strip of fabric that was tall enough to double over when being worn - you'll see what I mean in a minute - and wide enough to go right round the bump.

And ta da! I am amazed that these actually worked and they fit like a glove. These are one size bigger than I normally wear which is catering for a bit of extra bum & thigh I seem to have acquired this pregnancy. :(

So here's what I mean about the doubling over thing.....

I can wear the band folded down at the moment while the belly is still relatively petite, but as it gets out of control the band can be folded back up for more coverage!

I love these new shorts of mine. So summery and belly friendly all for 5 bucks and about an hour of my time.

Colour blocking anyone? 

Who says maternity wear has to be matronly!?

Super Duper Tool Belt!

Happy New Year everyone!

Its been a crazy couple of weeks what with the silly season and all, but I've managed to slow down and whip up my first creation of 2012.

Ok so I've mentioned before that our lil guy loves all things that roar - cars, bikes, lawnmowers, power tools - so today we're making a tool belt to help him carry his trusty tools around the house. Poor little fella has been crying out for one of these, resorting to stuffing his tool shaped puzzle pieces in his pants!

 

Me thinks these tools need a belt!

This is a really simple idea and yet a fabulous item for a bit of boy role play. I cut two squares of fabric - the same width but one slightly longer that the other - and joined them together at the bottom. The front (shorter) piece will provide little pockets for the tools to live. 

Feeling slightly creative today, I decided to add a little embroidery floss in the shape of a hammer to give it some character. 

Next I simply sewed some straight lines down the front to create pockets, and added this little belt to the top.

The belt came with a pair of jeans and had been sitting in his cupboard for well over a year because frankly I find belts on little kids clothes annoying and unnecessary. I am glad I hung on to it though as it came in very handy for giving this tool belt some boyish grunt! 

Previously homeless tools love their new pad!

And the verdict from the man himself? Pretty stoked! Here he is giving it a whirl....

"Is it for me? Oh, thank you so much!"